Chapter Twenty-Four
It was now close to seven o'clock, as Jack and Rose finished dressing in their finest clothing. Jack wore his wedding tuxedo, which Rose had packed for him before they left for their honeymoon, and wore his shiny black dress shoes. His hair was slicked back, giving off a shiny glow in the light. The tuxedo made him look as handsome as Rose last remembered seeing him in a tuxedo. Rose, on the other hand, wore a beautiful evergreen colored dress, which was floor length, and had a train that traveled behind her. It had gold designs, that gave the dress more of an elegant appeal, and it was low-cut, showing off her cleavage. It was long-sleeved and showed off the shoulders. Also, the fabric contained of a soft velvet touch, and had a darkish green sash, that went around her waist. The big bow, behind her, traveled down, making the dress look as elegant as her old upper class wardrobe she used to wear. She had on dark green shoes, which she had borrowed from Katherine, and her hair was pulled up in a professionally made bun, held by pins and a ribbon. Makeup was perfectly placed upon her face, and a feminine fragrance lingered in the air, as the perfume Rose used made her smell as a fresh red rose that was picked from a rosebush. Emerald earrings hung down on Rose's earlobes, as Katherine allowed Rose to borrow them as well.
By the time it was seven twenty, both had finished dressing, both looking as if they were in first class. Rose, of course, was more accustomed to the first class life, as Jack wasn't. He only experienced first class life, one time, during the first class dinner aboard the 'unsinkable' ship. Although, nobody had realized that Jack came from the steerage part of the ship, until Cal had announced it. Rose watched Jack fixing his bowtie, holding his head up high. He tensed a bit, as he placed his hands in his pockets, staring at his reflection on the full-length mirror. Rose went over to him, as she interlocked arms with him; looking at both of their reflection on the mirror before them.
"Don't be so tense." Rose said. "You did this before. Only, it's not aboard a ship."
"I know, but I'm still not sure if Cal is really going to be the nice guy that we always wanted him to be." Jack said. "I'm not sure, if he's just pulling a trap, so he could take you away from me. It's just hard to trust a guy like him. Especially after what he had done to us aboard the Titanic. I--"
"Jack, there's nothing to worry about." Rose said, stopping him in mid-sentence. "I know Cal wasn't as nice as we expected him to be aboard the Titanic, and I know it's hard to trust him now. But I do believe we could give him another chance. If we don't, then God knows what he'll do. He might break us apart, and Jack, that would kill me. It's better that we give him our trust, that way we may become friends and end this little hatred between us. Besides, I do believe Cal can change, if we give him time." Rose said, placing a hand on top of his cheek. "And he won't take me away from you. We're married. I'm your wife, not his. He has no right to take me away from you. I won't let him."
"Neither will I." Jack said, as he leaned down and closed the space between them, bringing her into a passionate kiss.
"I know you won't." Rose said, after they broke from their passionate kiss. "I can trust you on that one."
"I'm glad." Jack said.
"Besides, I've always trusted you on everything." Rose said. Jack smiled at her.
"I know." Jack said. Jack glanced over at the clock that hung on the wall, finding that it was half passed seven. He sighed. "Well, I suppose we should get going. It's already half passed seven. We should get over by the hotel in fifteen minutes."
"Okay." Rose said, going towards the dresser, to retrieve a small purse that Katherine had lend her. "Let's get going!" Jack smiled, and held out his elbow. Rose gladly slipped her arm through his, as they both exited the guest room. Both descended the stairs, to find Katherine playing with Amanda in the parlor room. At the sound of Rose's clicking shoes, Katherine looked up, wide-eyed.
"My God!" Katherine said, getting up. "You two look marvelous."
"Why, thank you." Rose said, with a bright smile on her face. "I want to thank you again for letting me borrow your jewelry and your shoes. They're magnificent. And thank you for lending me this little purse. I absolutely love it."
"Well, if you love them that much, you may have them." Katherine said, smiling.
"Oh, no, I couldn't possibly--" Rose began.
"Nonsense," Katherine replied. "I want you to have them. Besides, they're of no use for them when I have them. I hardly ever wear the jewelry and I never wore those shoes. Might as well give them to you, where they'll be of good use."
"Oh, thank you so much, Kat." Rose said, going towards her, to give her a hug. "You have done so much for me. How can I ever repay you?"
"There's no need." Katherine said, returning the hug. "You're the best friend any girl can have. I never met a woman like you. You're unique, and because of that uniqueness, I'll be more than happy to be your friend. You don't judge people before you know them, as most people around here do."
"I'm not the type to judge people." Rose said. "I have to get to know them first."
"I feel the same way." Katherine said.
"Uh, Rose, I hate to say this, but we gotta get going. Five minutes already passed." Jack said. Rose turned and smiled.
"Well, I'll see you tomorrow, I guess?" Rose asked. "We probably won't be back until mid-morning, or later. Depends on when the dinner ends."
"Okay then. Have fun, and be safe." Katherine said.
"We will, thanks." Jack said, as he led Rose out the front door. "So, are you ready?"
"I'm as ready as you are." Rose said. Once again, Jack held out his elbow, as Rose slipped her arm through his. Both exited the gate, and began walking towards the hotel they have been staying at the day before. They waited by the front entrance, where they were expecting Cal to show up. As they waited, many people glanced at them, wondering why a finely dressed couple would stand beside a not so expensive hotel. Both ignored their glances and just continued to wait.
"Do people always stare like this?" Jack whispered, as his eyes were on the passerby's, who kept on glancing at them, before walking away.
"Well, they're not used to seeing fancy clothing. This is not the richest part of the town, so they're sort of confused as to why we're waiting here. They assume that we're upper class, rich people." Rose whispered back, as her eyes glanced at the other people, in caution. Jack nodded slightly, understanding her explanation.
"Guess I'm not used to all these stares." Jack whispered. Rose smiled.
"I'm sort of accustomed to it." Rose murmured. "Besides, I received more worse than this." Jack let out a short laugh. Just then, a white Daimler-Benz pulled up. The driver stepped out and walked towards them.
"Caledon Hockley asked for me to pick up a Jack and Rose Dawson?" The driver asked, considering that the two couple were the Jack and Rose, that Cal had asked for.
"That's us." Jack said, smiling.
"He awaits you in the Irresistible French restaurant." The driver said. "It's said to be the most expensive restaurant in town." Jack and Rose just smiled. "Mind if I escort your beautiful wife to the car?" The driver asked Jack.
"Not at all." Jack said, letting Rose's arm go. Rose slid her arm through the driver's as he helped her into the Daimler-Benz. The driver closed the door, and opened the other door, for Jack, who stepped inside. Once the driver closed the door, he went back to the front and drove off, heading towards the fancy restaurant. Jack placed his hand on top of Rose's, as she looked up at him. Rose placed her other hand over his and smiled at him. Jack smiled back and placed a gentle kiss on top of her head. "I love you." Jack whispered.
"I love you too." Rose whispered back, as she gave him a bright, loving smile. It was five minutes past eight, when they had arrived to their destination. When the car stopped, the driver quickly made his way towards Rose's side and opened the door. The driver held out his hand, for Rose to take. Rose accepted his hand, and allowed for the driver to help her out of the car. Rose thanked the driver and turned, waiting for Jack to appear next to her. A few short seconds later, Jack was soon by her side. Rose smiled up at him, and interlocked arms with him, as they both entered the restaurant, with the help of two doormen, who held the door open for them. They walked over to the host's desk.
"Is Caledon Hockley available?" Jack asked. "He's expecting us."
"Oh, you must be Mr. and Mrs. Dawson, am I right?" The host asked.
"Right." Jack said.
"Follow me." The host led Jack and Rose to the middle of the restaurant, where they found Cal, with a beautiful maiden sitting beside him. "Mr. Hockley, your guests have arrived. Cal looked up, and smiled as he saw Rose.
"Thank you." Cal said to the host, who nodded his head and left. Cal smiled and got up. "Don't you look beautiful today." Cal said, taking Rose's hand and kissing her knuckles. Rose smiled.
"Thank you." Rose said.
"Nice to see you again, Jack." Cal said, a smile on his face.
"Same here." Jack said, smiling.
"Well, why don't you two have a seat?" Cal asked, as he took his own. Jack helped Rose to her seat, before he took his own. "I would like to introduce to you, Rebecca Stevenson. I met her back in Philadelphia, after--you know." Cal said.
"It's nice to meet you, Miss Stevenson." Rose smiled.
"Do call me Rebecca." Rebecca said.
"As long as you call me Rose." Rose smiled.
"Of course." Rebecca said.
"This is my husband, Jack Dawson." Rose introduced Jack to Rebecca.
"How do you do?" Rebecca asked, in her upper class voice.
"Fine, thanks." Jack said, nodding at her, with a smile. Rebecca smiled at him.
"Waiter!" Cal called out. Shortly after, a waiter stood beside him, tall and proud. "We would like to take our orders."
"Very good, sir." The waiter said, preparing to take their orders.
"I'll have the special, with a bottle of champagne, for all of us." Cal ordered. The waiter nodded, as he wrote his order down. He went to Rebecca, and took her order. He did the same for Jack and Rose. Once he had everybody's orders, he left them in peace, to prepare them their orders. "So, how long have you two been married?" Cal asked, eyeing both Jack and Rose.
"Five days, so far." Jack answered.
"Did you marry in a church, or a courthouse?" Cal asked.
"A church." Jack answered. "Our new friends were there, and a few others." Cal nodded.
"So, you must love Rose, then?" Cal asked, eyeing Jack carefully, to see if he would lie.
"I do." Jack said, looking up at him, his eyes shining with truth and honesty. "I love Rose with all my heart. I'd do just about anything to make sure she's safe." Cal nodded, finding that Jack wasn't lying.
"I've been wrong about you, Jack." Cal said. "I always thought you were steerage trash. That you had nothing to offer to Rose. I realize now, that you really love Rose. More than I did. I did love her, I just didn't show it as much as you did." Rose looked down at her fingers, as she listened. "I guess you did the right thing, by saving her, before it was too late. Before I married her." Jack just looked up at him, not able to say anything, for he could find nothing else to say. He just listened. "I had explained everything to Rebecca here, so she knows what we've been through. I have to tell you, that I'm glad you were the one to marry her. She seems happy to be with you, more than she was with me. I'm sure that she would be more miserable with me, than she would be, with you. You seem to bring that spark in her, that I never could give her. I just hope you take care of her."
"Don't worry," Jack said. "I'll take care good care of her. I love her too much, to hurt her."
"I know. And I'm glad you do love her." Cal said. "That's the one thing I never showed her. I should say I was more of a coward back then, than I am now. But I believe that I like things better this way." Rose looked up at him, as they made eye contact. "With you two happily married."
"Me too." Rose said, after being silent for five minutes. Cal smiled at her.
"I'm glad." Cal said. Just then, two waiters arrived with two plates of food in each hand. Each waiter placed a plate in front of the four people, as another waiter came with the bottle of champagne.
"Should I pour it for you, or do you suggest that you do so yourself?" The waiter asked Cal.
"I'll manage, thank you." Cal said, taking the champagne from the waiter.
"Very good, sir." The waiter said, before leaving.
"Well, I have an announcement to make." Cal said, as he opened the champagne bottle, as the champagne bubbles spilled out of the bottle. He poured his champagne glass, as well as Jack's, Rose's, and Rebecca's. "Rebecca and I are to be married by the end of this year." Cal declared. Rose smiled, as did Jack.
"Congratulations!" Rose said, smiling at both Cal and Rebecca.
"Thank you." Caledon said, smiling, as he raised his glass.
"To Cal and Rebecca." Rose said, raising her glass.
"No," Cal said. "to friendship." Cal corrected. Rose smiled.
"To friendship." Rose said. The four clinked their glasses together, as they took sips from their glass.
"Rose, since I heard so much about you, I would like you to be my maid of honor." Rebecca said. Rose smiled.
"I would be honored." Rose said, smiling brightly. Rebecca smiled.
"Great. I'm sure we'll become wonderful friends." Rebecca said.
"I'm sure we will." Rose smiled. She glanced over at Jack, and smiled at her. He smiled down at her, and gave her a wink.
"Well, Jack, I would be honored if you were to be my best man for the wedding." Cal said. "After all I've put you through, it's the best I could do." Jack smiled.
"I would be glad to fill you in on that honor." Jack said, as he brought a smile to his face, happy to know that Cal had changed. Cal smiled.
"I'm glad you have come to forgive me." Cal said. "I still regret what I have done to you two on the ship, and I still feel guilty. That's why, I'm going to deposit you some money."
"Cal--" Jack began.
"No, Jack." Cal said. "It's the best I could do. I rather repay you with money, than live with that guilt for the rest of my life."
"Cal, that's really not necessary." Rose said, looking up at him. "We don't need the money, and I'm sure that--"
"Rose, please." Cal said. "I need to do this. Besides, I don't want to see you two suffer. I know Rose isn't accustomed to working, so I'll be depositing about two million dollars in your bank account."
"Cal, I couldn't possibly accept--" Rose began.
"Nonsense," Cal said. "I'm giving it to you as a gift. Besides, I have about ten million dollars. What more could it hurt, if I take away two million?"
"I don't want you to make a mistake." Rose said. "You were never the one to give away such an amount of money, Cal."
"Well, that was then. This is me now." Cal said. Rose sighed.
"I'm not sure, Cal." Rose said. "It's just so much. It's too hard to believe."
"Well, believe it." Cal said.
"But, isn't the Heart of the Ocean worth two million dollars?" Rose asked. "At least, that's what I've heard from you."
"It is." Cal said. "But I want you to have it. After all, what am I supposed to do with a two million dollar necklace?"
"You could always sell it." Rose said, glancing over at him.
"Yes, but what good will that do?" Cal asked. "To you, that necklace holds memories. To others, it's just a piece of jewelry worth a lot of money, and I don't want to see you throw your memories away."
"It's just unbelievable, that you actually care." Rose said. "You never did before."
"I made a mistake, and I can't take it back." Cal said. "You deserve Jack, more than you deserve me."
"You're making me feel guilty now." Rose admitted.
"Don't be." Cal said. "I just want you to be happy."
"I am." Rose said, looking up at him. "I've been happy ever since I first laid eyes on Jack. He changed my life. And when you say that you're giving us two million dollars, it's just...I don't know...strange?" Rose said. "After ten days of being miserable, I never intended to be as happy as I am now, moreover, I never intended to be offered two million dollars from my ex- fiancée."
"Rose, you just have to believe that I've changed. I really have." Cal said, his dark eyes shining with seriousness. "The only reason I'm depositing two million dollars into your account, is so you two could live a better life, and do whatever you guys please."
"I don't know..." Rose began.
"Rose, just take my offer, please." Cal said. "You deserve it. Both of you deserve it."
"Cal--" Rose began.
"Rose, if we have to argue on this, it would be best if you just accept my offer and move on with our lives. This offer is the best thing I could give you, after what I've done to you." Cal said. Rose looked over at Jack, wondering what she should do. She leaned in close to his ear.
"Should we accept his offer?" Rose whispered, as she pulled away to look into his eyes. Jack just looked at her, contemplating whether they should or shouldn't accept the offer given by Cal.
He knew Rose was adapted to live in the first class life, for she had been a rich debutante for all her life, until she married him. He, on the other hand, never seen nor had that amount of money, that Cal offered. The Dawson's were one of the poorest families in Wisconsin, but he always believed that one day, he'd become a famous artist, and become rich. If he accepts the money, he'll be rich, but he wouldn't be a famous artist, unless he actually made his own art gallery and published his own drawings. Jack had believed that Cal has changed, for he could tell in his eyes, that he wasn't lying. Jack would love to have that much money is his account, but he didn't want to end up miserable for the rest of his life. He didn't want to live life being stuck up, like most first class passengers were. He still wanted to have the free-spirited life that he had before, and he didn't want to have maids serve them, nor having a big mansion for only two people. He wanted to live a normal life, the life that he's living now. Not the life that people chose for him. Having much thought on it, he finally came upon his decision. He looked down at Rose, and smiled. He gave her a slight nod, to give Rose his answer. Rose then glances over at Cal, who had been staring at them both for quite sometime.
"Well, Cal, we have come to a decision to accept your offer." Rose said. Cal smiled.
"Wonderful!" Cal said, raising his glass, before taking a sip from it. Jack and Rose did the same, as did Rebecca.
"I would just like to thank you for your offer." Rose said.
"Not a problem." Cal said. "I'll have the money brought to your bank by tomorrow morning. You live in that apartment, am I right?"
"Yes, the apartment by central park." Rose said. "Our bank is a few blocks away from there."
"Perfect. I'll have my father deposit the money for you." Caledon said. "As for now, let's enjoy our meal."
"Of course." Rose said, as she lifted up a fork, and began eating, as elegantly and perfectly as any upper class girl would eat. Her eyes landed on Cal, who smiled at her, and then she glanced over at Rebecca, finding her eating her meal. Rose swallowed her meal and looked over at her husband, who was having a difficult time choosing the right fork. Rose smiled and tapped his shoulder. Jack looked up at her. She leaned closer. "You're having trouble, aren't you?" Jack smiled and nodded. "Well, just start with the ones that are farther from the plate, then continue on from there." Jack smiled.
"Thanks." Jack whispered, as he picked up a fork and began eating. Rose smiled as she continued to eat her meal.
The rest of the evening resulted in silence, as only the sounds of forks hitting the plates, and murmurs of people sitting in other tables were heard in the restaurant. The waiters came to their table and placed their desserts in front of them. Rose picked up her spoon and dipped it into the rich vanilla ice cream that was before her. Once she had a spoonful of the ice cream, she placed it into her mouth, and swallowed it. The others did the same. Cal was the first to break the silence that had lingered between them for the past half hour.
"So," Cal said. "what do you two plan to do after your honeymoon?
"Well, go back to New York and continue with our lives." Jack said. "Hopefully, we'll find our own home, instead of living at the apartment, but I believe we could stay there for another month. We're probably gonna go get a house then." Jack said, taking a napkin, and wiping his mouth with it. "I was hoping on finding a house here." Rose turned to face him, and smiled.
"Really?" Rose asked, her eyes twinkling.
"Yeah, since you really like it here." Jack said. Rose tried to control herself from hugging him, but failed, when she threw his arms around his neck anyway.
"Thank you, so much, Jack." Rose smiled. "You don't know how much this means to me." Jack smiled and hugged her back.
"Anything for you, Rose." Jack whispered in her ear. "I love you."
"I love you too." Rose whispered back, as she placed a kiss onto his lips.
"Aren't they in love?" Rebecca said to Cal, as she smiled towards them, finding them lost in each other.
"Of course," Cal said. "Why wouldn't they be?" There was a hint of sadness in his voice as he said this. In his heart, he had loved Rose, and he still does. He just wished he had treated her more better than he had, but he knew it was too late. Rose was already happily married to Jack, and she seemed madly in love with him. It was hard for him to become friends with Jack Dawson. Jack had stolen Rose away from him and made her fall in love with him, as they were engaged, and that had angered him. But after having to think about the situation after the sinking, it came to his head that he had treated Rose terribly as they were engaged, and that Jack was the only person to really show his love for her; to actually love her for who she was, and not for her beauty. He had come to realize that Rose wasn't for him, and that he would never win her heart, especially since they were married. Rose was his past, and always will be. He was still willing to be her friend-even after what had come between them for the past week-and not cause her or Jack any trouble, as he had done aboard the ship. He watched as Jack and Rose smiled each other. He saw the spark in her eye, every time she smiled at him. He had never seen that spark when she smiled at him. Possibly because her smile was forced, and not true, as her smile to Jack was. He also noticed that whenever she looked at him, she had this sparkle in her eye, as if Jack was the only man in the world that existed. Also something that he never seen Rose give him when they were engaged. Cal's thoughts were interrupted when Rebecca called him. "Yes, sweetpea?" Cal smiled at her.
"Where are we going after this?" Rebecca asked, looking into his eyes.
"Well, I was thinking of going over to the beach and watch the sunset. I suppose the sun will set in about nine o'clock, and it's only eight thirty." Cal said, as he checked his pocket watch. Rebecca smiled.
"That sounds very romantic." Rebecca said. Cal smiled, as he noticed the spark in her eyes as she smiled.
"I'm glad it does." Cal said, happy to finally be loved by a woman. Rebecca smiled happily at him. The waiters came and cleared their tables. Cal set his napkin down, and called one of the waiters over. "I would like to pay for the orders now, please."
"Right away, sir." The waiter said, as he hurried over to the host, to retrieve the check, which would show the amount he had to pay. Returning to Cal's table, he handed him the piece of paper. Cal took it, and took out a checkbook, as he wrote in the amount and signed his name. He handed the paper to the waiter. "Thank you sir, I hope you enjoyed your meal."
"I did, thank you." Cal said, getting up. The waiter nodded, and walked away. "Well, why don't we get going." Cal said, pushing his chair in, as he stood behind it. "I'm planning on taking you guys to the beach so we could watch the sun set in the horizon." Jack and Rose smiled. "It seems to sound romantic, so I thought it would be perfect to end our night together."
"Sounds wonderful to me." Rose said, as she got up from her seat, with Jack's help, who stood behind her. Cal smiled as Rose stood beside Jack, interlocking arms with him. He felt Rebecca do the same to him. He looked down at her, and kissed her forehead.
"Well, we should be moving along then. We wouldn't want to miss it, now would we?" Cal asked, as he smiled at all three of them. The four exited the restaurant, as Cal's white Daimler-Benz was awaiting him. The driver stepped out and opened the door. He held out his hand, as he helped Rebecca step in, as well as Rose. Jack and Cal stepped in on their own, as they sat in front of the women, facing them. The driver drove off, heading towards the beach, as the four sat quietly in the car. "Rose, that dress looks beautiful on you." Rose smiled.
"Thank you." Rose said. "I bought it in New York, the second day that we moved in our apartment. I figured I should have something fancy, just incase of an emergency."
"Well, it does suit you, Rose." Cal said. Rose smiled. Cal looked over at Jack, who was staring out the window, watching as the car passed the art gallery. "So, do you still draw, Dawson?" Jack looked over at him.
"Uh, yeah." Jack said. "I still do."
"Why don't you sell your drawings?" Cal asked. "You seem to be an amazing artist; although I wasn't as interested in art as Rose was."
"Well, the drawings that I had earlier went down with the ship." Jack said. "But, Rose bought me a wedding present yesterday, which was a brand new portfolio with blank sheets of paper and art supplies. I just started drawing this morning, seeing that I hadn't drawn anything since the night of April fourteenth." Jack said, folding his hands on his lap.
"Well you should," Cal said. "you'll make good business." Jack looked over at Cal, never expecting to hear advice from Cal. Jack gave out a small smile. "Really, Jack. I'm sure with a talent that you have, you'll be sure to make lots of money."
"I hope to become a famous artist someday." Jack said. "But right now, I want to concentrate on being a husband, to my wife." Cal nodded.
"I perfectly understand." Cal said. An awkward silence lingered into the car for a few minutes, as the four couples waited to arrive at their destination. Once they came to a halt, the driver stepped out of the drivers seat and opened the passenger door, as he held out his hand, to help the ladies out of the car. Rose was the first to exit the car, as she placed her left hand into the drivers right, and stepped out of the car without tripping. The next to exit the car, was Rebecca, then Jack and Cal. "Just wait for us at the corner, over there." Cal pointed. "We'll probably be back in around an hour or so."
"Yes, sir." The driver said, leaving Cal and the others in their privacy. Cal placed his hand in his pocket, as he turned, finding Jack and Rose staring at each other as if they were the only couple on the beach. A small inaudible sigh left his lips, as he walked beside his new fiancée.
A/N: Please, review!!!!! I worked sooooo hard on this chapter...I hope you like it!!!